Changing Multi-Family to Non-Smoking

[Christine Swaidan]

One year ago I decided that as tenants left I would transition to non-smoking. All new move-ins sign a no smoking agreement as part of their rental package. We've definitely had some bumps in the road but I'm toying with the idea of going smoke free for existing tenants. I have four buildings. I'm nervous about losing tenants. I do not have a problem providing an outdoor area where smoking could be allowed. Any advice or words of wisdom to share? 

[Patrick M.]

We transitioned a building as well. We had 2 units month to month and gave them 30 days and then began the notices to cease and quit. We had one with an inherited lease and he put up a fight and there was enough there on other things to justify non renewal under NJ's strict anti-eviction law so I waited them out.

Regardless- we did not go smoke free until we got rid of everyone and that was something we needed to do to reposition the property anyway. It is a huge difference and well worth it. I was horrified to see the burn marks in the rugs of one of the tenants who apparently had a drug habit as well.

Our new tenants are clean and awesome- we have through wired smoke and carbon monoxide and when an inspector or potential tenant walks in it is fresh, clean and beautiful. I would never make an outside smoking area- cigarette butts suck and you will only encourage renting to smokers. And no smoker is going to go outside to smoke when they don't want to- they will open a window.

One thing that cigarette and marijuana smokers don't recognize is how horribly they smell of their chosen vice. They think an open window is a cure-all.

I was a smoker and quitting was by far the hardest thing to do- so I am sympathetic, but not in my buildings.